Chinese New Year & a delicious way to celebrate

This year Chinese New Year falls on February 10^th. Like many celebrations, food is an important part of the occasion. Royal Garden Restaurant is hosting a special Chinese New Year buffet will be part of the celebrations on February 9^th and 10^th.

Owner Susie Low shared the meaning behind a couple of the traditional foods of Chinese New Year.

Dumplings

“Dumplings of various forms are a huge part of Chinese New Year. This dumpling usually symbolizes happiness, prosperity, and togetherness as a family,” Low explained.

Lucky 8 Stir Fry

“Lucky 8 symbolizes good luck. And in it there’ll be bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, celery, carrots, wood ear mushrooms, sui choy, snap peas, and lotus root. So these all put together symbolizes a good, lucky year.”

Both those favourites will be featured on the Chinese New Year buffet. They’re also available to order à la carte on the special menu throughout the weeks leading up to that weekend.

While the food experience is an important part of the annual event, Low also shared more about this special celebration that’s been around for thousands of years.

• The date changes from year to year
  Similar to how the Gregorian calendar’s leap year has an extra day, the traditional Chinese Lunar Calendar can have a 13^th “That’s why Chinese New Year fluctuates on the calendar,” explained Low. “It can be anywhere from the beginning part of January to usually no later than mid-February.”
• Children are given red envelopes
  “Most adults will hand their kids a red envelope, and usually inside it there’s money. It’s kind of our way of wishing them a good year.”
• It’s a huge celebration overseas
  “There’s fireworks. There’s some lion dances,” she said, pointing out some of the differences. “Businesses are actually closed for a good three or four days for people because it’s a holiday spread over a few days.”
• It’s also known as Lunar New Year
  The event is commemorated by other cultures, and while the cuisine is different, the sentiment of togetherness is a common thread.

Even if marking the New Year isn’t part of your own family’s culture, everyone is welcome. The special buffet is a chance to enjoy some of the traditional food that’s a part of this happy celebration. “It’s open to anybody and everybody that wants to try it, we’ll definitely have all the all the favourite staples, and we’ll also have some of the traditional Chinese New Year items for sure.”

The Chinese New Year buffet is 4:30-7:30, February 9^th and 10^th.

For reservations, call Royal Garden Restaurant or make a reservation on their website.